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Friday,
July 4, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Venus
joins Serena in final;
Beckham salutes
United fans
Top footballers may
skip state league India A tie
heading for draw |
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Mohali, Kanpur to hold Tests against Kiwis Team working on weak areas, says Gagan Ajit Pak hopes on Rasheed Junior COA likely to bid for youth games Holyfield to take on Toney
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Venus joins Serena in final; Henman loses
London, July 3 Despite clearly being affected by a stomach injury, the 2000 and 2001 champion rallied from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. A vengeful Serena Williams butchered Belgian rival Justin Henin-Hardenne 6-3, 6-2 in their grudge rematch to reach her second successive Wimbledon final on Thursday. In a display of brute force that left the Centre Court gasping, the defending champion buried the memory of her bitter French Open semifinal defeat by the Belgian with a barrage of ferocious winners. Play on all courts was delayed by two hours, 40 minutes due to rain but Roddick was unflustered as he booked his first Wimbledon semifinal against Swiss fourth seed Roger Federer with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win. On court one the bookmakers’ favourite for the men’s title, American fifth seed Andy Roddick, made light work of experienced Swede Jonas Bjorkman in their men’s quarterfinal. “I played really well today — I was really focused, I had to be,” said the 21-year-old American, who had accused Henin of “lying and fabricating” in their bad-tempered game at Roland Garros last month. British
hopes shattered French 13th seed Sebastien Grosjean killed off British 10th seed Tim Henman’s title dream on Centre Court, winning their rain-interrupted quarterfinal 7-6 (10/8), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours exactly. Grosjean now meets Mark Philippoussis of Australia. “I started pretty well and that helped me to finish the match,” said Grosjean, a jumping jack in the box of a player who had beaten Henman at Queen’s Club ahead of Wimbledon and who broke crucially in the seventh game of the fourth set for a 4-3 lead. He then missed a match point on Henman’s serve in the ninth game in netting a forehand before serving out and landing the win when Henman drove despairingly into the net. Of the key break point which put him finally on the road to victory Grosjean said it was a question of staying calm and performing the basics. Australian Mark Philippoussis won a final-set shootout to rip German Alexander Popp’s dreams to shreds with a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 8-6 victory. With the match left evenly poised at 2-2 in the fifth set when rain halted play on Wednesday, the Australian came storming out of the blocks on resumption to tame Popp and reach his first semifinal at the All-England Club. Philippoussis, who had fought his way back from two sets down, had never previously lost a contest in which he had serve more than 30 aces and his tally of 34 was enough to outgun Popp Having squandered nine break points in Popp’s first two service games on Thursday, Philippousis showed off his athletic skills at 5-5 as he hit diving volley winner to stave off a break-point against him. Popp surrendered his Wimbledon bid by netting a low service, leaving 26-year-old Philippoussis to lift his arms in delight and acknowledge the noisy Australian contingent on court Roger Federer became only the second Swiss man in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal when he beat eighth-seeded Dutchmen Sjeng Schalken 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Federer, seeded four, trailed 0-3 and then 1-4 in the final set of the rain-delayed quarterfinal before winning five successive games to reach the last four. Federer, looking untroubled the back problem that hindered him in the fourth round, moved his opponent around the court, breaking in the fourth game of the opening set which he won 6-3 in 24 minutes. Bhupathi-Mirnyi in semis New Delhi: India’s Mahesh Bhuapathi and Max Mirnyi of Belarus entered the semifinals men’s doubles beating Martin Damm and Cyril Suk of Czech Republic in straight sets in a rain-delayed match. Serving for the match when rain suspended their quarterfinal match yesterday, the top seed duo of Bhupathi and Mirnyi easily won the ninth game of the third set to complete a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory, according to information received here.
The victory set up a semi-final clash with fifth seeds Leander Paes and David Rikl of Czech Republic in a repeat of French Open quarter-final showdown.
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Beckham salutes United fans
Manchester, July 3 After his ejection for petulantly kicking Diego Simeone, England played on for 70 minutes for a 2-2 tie but went out on penalties. Only the support of the United followers maintained his confidence when he was jeered by opposing fans wherever he travelled, he told the club’s own MUTV yesterday. “The fans were one of the reasons why I kept going after the World Cup of ’98. It was a difficult time for me,” Beckham said. “I had strength with my family and the manager. But when I was out on the field, while I was not alone, I needed a lift and the fans did that for me. “When I look back it made me into a stronger person and a stronger player. That season totally turned my life around. Without the fans, who knows ...?” Beckham, hired by Madrid for $ 40 million to join an already star-studded lineup, said there was no rift with United manager Alex Ferguson. “People have always said the manager and me have had our ups and downs and of course we have. That’s part and parcel of life in general. “The manager and me have always had a good relationship. He’s the reason why I joined Manchester United, apart from obviously being a club I supported. “He is the reason why I am the player I am today. He wouldn’t have put me in the team at 17-18 if he didn’t have a good feeling about me. He has always been a father figure to me. I will never forget that. “You have your ups and downs. Sometimes you are out of the team and of course being the person and player I am like to be involved in every game possible. “When you are left out of a game you are disappointed but there’s great players at United and you have to accept it and get on with it, which is what I did. “I am sure it will happen at Real Madrid. I am sure I won’t play every game. That’s football.” Beckham said he was sad to leave his Old Trafford “family”. The England captain had spent more than 13 years with the club having joined the Reds from school and graduated to the first team alongside Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, brothers Gary and Philip Neville and Nicky Butt. “What I am going to miss is the players and the players I have grown up with,” Beckham said. “To be part of them and to grow up with them has been a great pleasure and a great honour. They will always be friends to me. I am the first of the six to leave and it is hard. It is really hard. “I regard all the players as family, more than anything. To be leaving like this is sad for me,” Beckham said. “I have spent 13 to 14 years at Manchester United and have always been a supporter and will always follow them. For me it has been a massive part of my life and will remain a big part of my life. “Life goes on and I have to move on. And Manchester United will move on.” — AP
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Real not to visit India
Kolkata, July 3 The IISWBM Director Ashoke Kumar Dutta in a communique said here today that Real Madrid had dropped their proposal to visit India during their Asian trip next month and the proposed exhibition in India was dropped. He said since they could raise targeted funds from their Asian trip of Japan and Korea next month, the richest club of the world had dropped their proposed plan to visit India. Earlier last month, Prof. Dutta in a press conference had announced that the star-studded side might come to India and play an exhibition match. — UNI
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Top footballers may skip state league
Kolkata, July 3 Disclosing this, AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi told reporters here today the step would ensure these players remained fresh and injury-free in the run up to the NFL. Though the AIFF felt the number of such players per club should be five, it was keeping an open mind on the issue. “If the state associations and clubs concerned wanted the number to be four or six, we will accept it,” Dasmunshi said on the sidelines of a function here today. Asked whether the AIFF wanted to introduce the new system from this year itself, Dasmunshi said “Why not? But we don’t want to rush things. Instead we want to proceed step by step and through consensus”. Dasmunshi said the rationale behind the decision was that the clubs, in their bid to play to the best of their potential in the NFL, would want to keep their top players away from the state leagues. “This will not only make the NFL very competitive, but also increase its attraction,” he said. The AIFF president would hold meetings with the four state associations - Indian Football Association (West Bengal), Goa, Kerala and Western India Football Association (WIFA) - to ascertain their views on the matter. As part of the Indian team’s preparations for the coming Afro-Asian Games, the AIFF was planning to invite Thailand, Iran, China and South Korea to play some practice matches. — PTI
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India A tie
heading for draw London, July 3 Just 80 overs could be bowled on the opening day yesterday during which Nottinghamshire, electing to bat, had scored 265 runs for three wickets with Usmaan Afzaal hitting a strokeful unbeaten century. His 114 included 18 fours and a six. Darren Bicknell made 52 runs while Gareth Clough was batting on 39. L Balaji had claimed two of the three wickets to fall while the third was taken by left-arm spinner Murali Kartik. In front of a smattering of spectators, medium pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji struck early for the Indians clean bowling Guy Welton for 25, with the total on 53. But that was their only success until shortly before tea as Afzaal and Darren Bicknell (52) added 89 for the second wicket before the latter became Balaji’s second victim. Scoreboard Nottinghamshire (1st innings): Bicknell c Bhandari b Balaji 52, Welton b Balaji 25, Afzaal batting 114, Shafayat c Jaffer b Kartik 6, Clough batting 39,
Extras (lb-12, w-1, nb-16) 29, Total (3 wkts, 80 overs) 265, Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-140, 3-154. Bowling: Balaji 19-1-82-2, Bhandari 14-1-51-0, Pathan 15-7-36-0, Kartik 26-5-56-1, Bharadwaj 3-0-13-0, Gavaskar 2-0-9-0. Rayudu 1-0-6-0.
— PTI
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Mohali, Kanpur to hold Tests against Kiwis New Delhi, July 3 BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya disclosed that the Test matches between India and New Zealand would be played at Kanpur from October 8 to 12, and at Mohali from October 16 to 20. He said the order of the Tests may be changed depending on the travel plans of the teams. “It’s due to logistical reasons”, he added. New Zealand will begin their tour of India with two three-day matches at Vizakhapatnam and Rajkot, against the Board President’s XI and the India A team, respectively. The Vizag match will be played from September 26 to 28 while the Rajkot match will be held from October 4 to 6. The Test series will be followed by a triangular series, comprising 10 matches, with each team playing against each other thrice, before culminating in the title clash in Kolkata. The venues and dates of the one-day series are: India vs New Zealand at Chennai on October 23; India vs Australia at Gwalior on October 26; Australia vs New Zealand at Faridabad on October 29; India vs Australia at Mumbai on November 1; Australia vs New Zealand at Pune on November 3, India vs New Zealand at Cuttack on November 6; Australia vs New Zealand at Guwahati on November 9; India vs Australia at Bangalore on November 12; India vs New Zealand at Hyderabad on November 15 and the final in Kolkata on November 18. Mr Dalmiya said players who had played 100 Test matches would be entitled for a One-Day International (ODI) as a benefit match. But in the case of those who have played only around 50 Test matches, they will be allowed to count three ODIs as
equivalent to one Test match, for the purpose of completing the 100-Test score. He said the same yardstick would be applied in the case of former players who have become international umpires, like Srinivasan Venkataraghavan. In the case of umpires, three ODIs officiated by the umpire will be taken as
equivalent to one Test match. Venkat has asked for an ODI as his benefit match, but since he was not fully prepared to organise the match this time, he would be allotted one when the South Africans visit India next year. Mr Dalmiya said the working committee had accepted the suggestion arrived at the Spinners’ Conclave in Kolkata on May 30 that upto the under-17 level, ODIs should not be introduced. But he said an exception would be made during the inaugural U-17 Asia Cup Tournament to be hosted by India. After this edition, however, the Asian Cricket Council will be requested to change the format from ODI to two-day matches. He said another suggestion of the Spinners Conclave that had been accepted was that the players should be selected at the zonal level before being admitted at the National Cricket Academy. Mr Dalmiya said the Ranji Trophy Championship would continue in the present format of “Elite” and “Plate” as there was “overwhelming” support for the present system in the Captains’ and Coaches’ Conclave held in Mumbai recently. The BCCI president said the Duleep Trophy would be played in a changed format in which a couple of foreign teams would be invited to play. The foreign teams would not be the national teams, but the A teams or county teams of the participating countries. Regarding the adverse
nothing made by the pitches committee about half a dozen first class cricket venues, including Kanpur, Mr Dalmiya said the board would keep a watch on such centres as laying and relaying pitches was an evolving process, which would take some time to stabilise and to derive the desired results. He added that those first class centres lacking in fitness centres would complete the process in the next few weeks. He also disclosed that the Orissa selector had been asked to explain his position regarding his press statement, questioning the wisdom of the Indian team management in rotating the players in the one-day and three-day matches during the India A team’s tour of England. |
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Cameo knock by Sehwag
London, July 3 Sehwag played some cracking shots hitting six boundaries but it was cut short by a quick delivery from Betts which skidded through to shatter his stumps. In another match, Yuvraj Singh continued with his lean patch scoring only six runs for Yorkshire who made 314 for seven against Derbyshire on the opening day of their division two tie. — PTI
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Team working on weak areas, says Gagan Ajit Chandigarh, July 3 Gagan, player of the tournament at Hamburg, said though the team was doing well in most of the departments, conceding goals in the last minutes of a match was an area of concern. “We conceded a goal against Germany in the dying minutes and (earlier in Australia) Pakistan scored in the last seconds which helped them to force a draw,” he said adding that more communication among the players was needed to overcome this problem. Talking to PTI, Gagan said the team would work hard to improve on the weak areas to make it three in a row at the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands in August following back-to-back wins in two tournaments in Australia and Germany. “With two important tournament victories under our belt, the team morale has got a tremendous boost. However, there are some weak areas which we are working on to ensure that the current dream run continues,” he said. The Punjab Police officer said the team had also improved a lot in the penalty corner conversion. “We are improving in this area and in Hamburg we converted eight goals while in (last month’s three nation invitational tournament) Australia we converted six goals.” Asked which match at Hamburg was the toughest, Gagan said playing against world champions Germany was always a challenge. “We played very good hockey against them even as the pressure of local crowd is there against you.” On what he had done to improve his own game, Gagan said he worked hard in receiving the ball. “I have put in hard work in this department and captain Dhanraj Pillay gave me some tips and encouraged me. More practice and a boost in confidence helped me do better.” He said the team had been, in the recent past, concentrated on playing attacking hockey. “Earlier, we used to go on the defensive during the opening session but now we attack right from the word go which puts pressure on the opposition. With this strategy, we have been scoring goals in the first half as the team playing against us comes under lot of pressure.” Gagan also pointed to the present senior-junior combination as the mantra for the team’s recent successes. “All the players have good understanding and this is helping the team’s cause. The junior members are supported by the senior ones and we learn a lot from their techniques,” he said. On what was in store, Gagan said the team would not sit on its laurels, but work hard to bring back the lost glory to Indian hockey. “You know, even the FIH (world hockey body) president has praised our team on its performance,” he said. — PTI
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Pak hopes on Rasheed Junior
Lahore, July 3 Coach Tahir Zaman and his deputy Shahid Ali Khan were retained. Pakistan, three-time Olympic and four-time world champions, has slumped of late in international hockey, turning in an all-time low performance to take fourth place at last year’s Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Hockey, Pakistan’s national sport, has been increasingly overshadowed by cricket, which has become a great obsession among the country’s youth. Rasheed became the only player in field hockey history to win World Cup titles as coach and player when Pakistan won its last of four world titles in Sydney, Australia in 1994. At center forward, he helped lead Pakistan to the championship in the inaugural World Cup in 1971 and scored 96 goals in 89 internationals across his illustrious career. — AFP
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COA likely to bid for youth games Chandigarh, July 3 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Ravinder Talwar, secretary of the COA, said the idea was mooted by the adviser to the association, Mr Gurbir Singh, at the executive committee meeting of the COA. The association which hosts the meet can choose the disciplines in which the competitions are to be held. According to Mr Talwar, Chandigarh has the infrastructure for a variety of disciplines, including hockey, football, athletics etc. Therefore hosting the meet in the
city would not pose any problem, he said. The president of the COA, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, who presided over the executive committee meeting yesterday but could not attend the press conference today as he had to leave for Delhi, has formed sub-committees to oversee accommodation, transport and hospitality arrangements to ensure that the IOA meeting remains a smooth affair. He also requested all affiliated units to submit their annual calendars by July 15 to the secretary. Incidentally, 31 bodies are affiliated to the COA while about seven are on the waiting list. The president also apprised the house that he had approached the Chandigarh Administrator for allotment of land for construction of the Chandigarh Olympic Bhavan. The Chandigarh Administration has asked the COA to apply on the prescribed proforma along with the blueprint. Therefore, the president has constituted a sub-committee headed by Mr Ravinder Talwar with Mr JS Cheema, Mr Ashok Goel, and Prof CK Chatrath to look into the details. The president also brought to the notice of the members that offers of sponsorships had already been received from certain quarters to help in construction of the building. The meeting also decided to organise the Chandigarh Sports Festival in October-November, 2003. In reply to a question regarding sports infrastructure in the UT, Mr Talwar and Mr Gurbir Singh said the COA would support every move aimed at upgradation and improvement. Incidentally, Mr Gurbir Singh was also a member of the committee set up by the Punjab Government to suggest measures for sports promotion. He said the COA fully supported the recommendation of the committee which had suggested laying of another Astro-Turf for hockey in Chandigarh so that the city can fulfil the requirements of the International Hockey Federation with regard to allotment of international
tournaments. Mr Gurbir Singh also revealed that the Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Virendra Singh, during a recent meeting had expressed surprise over non-existence of a proper football-cum- athletics stadium. Accordingly he had suggested upgradation of the Sector 7 sports complex or finding an alternative since it was a crying need of the city. Leading industrialist and sports promoter, Kewal Dhillon also addressed the press conference. |
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Holyfield to take on Toney
Las Vegas (USA), July 3 The matchup of Americans will be a 12-round fight instead of 10. Holyfield, 40, will take five million dollars while Toney will be paid three million dollars. Four-time heavyweight champion Holyfield is 38-5 with two drawn. His last fight was a December loss to compatriot Chris Byrd for the IBF heavyweight crown. Toney is 66-4 with two drawn. — AFP
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London,
July 3
Video
